WESTERN SUPREMACY. 41 



The Colorado Eiver of Texas cuts its way through moun- 

 tains of solid marble. In many parts of the Rocky 

 Mountains there are the finest building stones, granite, 

 sandstone and marble, of all possible colors and shades, 

 without end. It would be tiresome simply to enumerate 

 the valuable minerals which swell the undeveloped 

 wealth of the West. 



Her unrivaled resources together with the unequaled 

 enterprise of her citizens are a sure prophecy of superior 

 wealth. Already have some of these young states out- 

 stripped older sisters at the East, as is seen by the follow- 

 ing statement of wealth per caput according to the as- 

 sessed valuation of property in 1880 : 



In South Carolina $U0 In Kansas $161 



"Illinois 255 "Minnesota 330 



" Vermont 2.59 " Colorado 331 



" New York 538 " California 674 



From 1880 to 1890 the assessed valuation of property in 

 these four states east of the Mississippi increased twenty- 

 seven per cent, while that in the four western states in- 

 creased one hundred and seven. The aggregate increase 

 of the former was $1,008,000,000; that of the latter, 

 $1,160,000,000.1 The West is destined to surpass in agricul- 

 ture, stock-raising, mining, and eventually, in manufact- 

 uring. Already appears the superiority of her climate, 

 which Montesquieu declares " is the most i^owerful of all 

 empires, and gives guaranty alone of future develop- 

 ment." Every advantage seems to be hers save only 

 greater proximity to Europe, and if the East commands 

 European commerce, the Golden Gate opens upon Asia, 

 and is yet to receive 



" the wealth of Ormus and of Ind," 



and send her argosies to all the ports of the broad Pa- 

 cific. 



Beyond a peradventure, the West is to dominate the 

 East. With more than twice the room and resources of 

 the East, the West will have probably twice the popula- 



■ The World Almanac, 1800. 



